Billet-marking apparatus and method of marking

ABSTRACT

A marking device for a continuous billet-casting apparatus and a method of marking a billet are disclosed. The marking device is associated with a shearing device of the continuous billetcasting apparatus for shearing a longitudinal member and such marking device has a marking member on one blade of the stationary blade and the movable blade. The marking member is operable by relative movement between the stationary blade and the movable blade to shear the longitudinal member into a billet and to mark a predetermined indicia on the longitudinal member and the billet. The method of marking a billet formed from a longitudinal member produced by a continuous billet casting apparatus includes the steps of simultaneously shearing the longitudinal member into a billet of predetermined length and marking one member of the billet and the longitudinal member, moving the billet to a marking station and further marking the billet at the marking station.

0 titrated tates Fatent [151 3,633,712 Rndov 1 Feb. 1, 1972 [54] BILLET-MARKING APPARATUS AND 3,281,903 11/1966 Ross ..l64/263 X METHOD OF MARKING 2,263,325 1841922 Way et al.... .....72/331 X ,242, 2 l9 Kin sle ..l01/30 [72] Inventor: Walter B. Ruduv, Pittsburgh, Pa. 8 y

73 A ne U Med st MSW: Primary Examiner-R. Spencer Annear 22; F 1 e A 17 2970 0mm AttorneyRobertJ. Leek, Jr.

1 e ug. 211 Appl. No.: 64,480 [57] ABSTRACT A marking device for a continuous billet-casting apparatus and a method of marking a billet are disclosed. The marking [52] U.S.Cl. ...1..6..$1g276,6140l/4,1;)1230, device is associated with a Shearing device of the continuous 51 In C] l l 2/ 31 billet-casting apparatus for shearing a longitudinal member t. .B 22d 11/12, B44b 5/02 and Such marking device has a marking member on one blade [58] Field Of Search ..l64/69, I6, 82, 263, 270, 282, of the Stationary blade d the mcvable blade T marking 164/70; 72/331; 101/30 4; 7/14'1 R member is operable by relative movement between the stationary blade and the movable blade to shear the longitudinal [56] References cued member into a billet and to mark a predetermined indicia on UNITED STATES PATENTS the longitudinal member and the billet.

The method of marking a billet formed from a longitudinal g g et al "i""' member produced by a continuous billet casting apparatus inl 4 0 4 c neegass 01/3 Ux eludes the steps of simultaneously shearing the longitudinal J 8 1 191 Cook "101/30 X member into a billet of predetermined length and marking one 8975 8/1937 Randolph "101/30 member of the billet and the longitudinal member, moving the 7 /1 4 billet to a marking station and further marking the billet at the cwer er 2,641,995 6/1953 Whittaker ..1o1/4 mm mgs a 2,806,263 9/1957 Hogan ..l64/263 24 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTEU FEB 1 B72 SHEET 1 OF 6 INVENTOR WAL TER B. RUDOV q 3 D 3 7 Q 5 D g C C E E C C c C T w! w m6 m E a w m3 3 mm vw 2 m3 w& 93 vm v2 q um Gm .ww vw ww vw vw vw vw Qw L We L J Kl V o a J Q o o A O. ELIIE [IL a E wh v1 9 .3 31% u- BILLET-MARKING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MARKING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, in a continuous billet-casting apparatus having a plural number of strands such as, for example, four strands, the billets are rolled to a given cross-sectional area, such as 4 by 4 inches, by 5 inches, 6 by 6 inches or the like, and then cut into lengths from about feet to 40 feet. Thereafter, the cut billets are assembled adjacent the marking station where a marking operator would mark each billet with the strand number, the heat number, and the cut number from the par ticular strand. Inasmuch as the cut billets did not approach the marking station in any predetermined pattern or order, it was extremely difficult for the marking operator, who is some distance from the shearing station, to ascertain with accuracy the required strand number, heat number, and cut number for a particular billet, thereby often causing improper marking of individual billets.

Conventional devices are of the type shown in the following U.S. Pats:

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is the general object of this invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of and objections to prior art practices by the provision of an improved billetmarking device and method of marking which:

a. mark the strand number of a billet at the shearing station;

b. which eliminate the strand-marking operation by the marking operator at the operating station;

c. which reduce the number of marking operations at the marking station to the strand cut number and the heat number; and

d. which insure accurate strand-marking strand cut marking and heat number marking of each individual billet from continuous billet-casting apparatus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforesaid objects of this invention and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds are achieved by providing an improved marking device and method of marking. The marking device is associated with a shearing device of the continuous billet casting apparatus for shearing a longitudinal member and such marking device has a marking member on either blade of the shearing device, either the stationary blade and/or the movable blade. The marking member is operable by relative movement between the stationary blade and the movable blade to shear the longitudinal member into a billet and to mark a predetermined indicia on the longitudinal member and/or the billet.

The method of marking a billet formed from a longitudinal member produced by a continuous billet-casting apparatus includes the steps of simultaneously shearing the longitudinal member into a billet of predetermined length and marking one end of the billet and/or the longitudinal member, moving the billet to a marking station and further marking the billet at the marking station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of this invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a continu-' ous billet-casting apparatus including the improved marking device of the present invention and the simplified marking station operation;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the shearing station and associated supporting table;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view partially in section showing the upcut-type shearing apparatus having the improved marking device of the present invention on the stationary upper blade and showing the traveling blade and the fixed blade and the billet at the start of the shearing operation;

FIG. 4 is a plan diagrammatic view showing the pinch rolls and the bellmouth guide adjacent the shearing mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a vertical view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows and showing the details of the marking device;

FIGS. 7A-7D are diagrammatic views illustrating the steps in the shearing and marking operation;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of the billet-handling equipment utilized after the shearing operation to deliver the cut billets to the marking station;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 of an alternative embodiment of the marking device wherein the marking device is carried by a traveling upcut blade for the butt end marking of the billet;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing a marking device on both the stationary lower blade and on the movable upper blade of a downcut device;

FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of a diamond-cut or diagonal-type shear device carrying the marking device of the present invention;

FIGS. HA, 1128 are views similar to FIG. 11 of round-type and multiple-bar type shearing devices carrying the marking device of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 6 of an alternative form of a marking device having both convex and concave arcuate marking bars; and

FIGS. 14, 15 are views similar to FIG. 13 of other alternative embodiments of the marking device showing a series of arranged protuberances consisting of round and diamond-type protuberances, and a symbol respectively.

Although the principles of this invention are broadly applicable to the marking of metallic billets of any cross-sectional shape or length and formed of any castable or extruded material, this invention is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a steel billet produced by a continuous billetcasting and hence it has been so illustrated and will be so described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With specific reference to the form of this invention illustrated in the drawings and referring particularly to FIG. 1, a continuous billet-casting apparatus is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.

In FIG. 1, a plurality of strands 12, in this case, for example four strands 12, are fed from the mold l4 downwardly through guide rolls 16 along a bending roll 18, a curved rack of rolls 20 and into a straightening device 22 where the arcuate strands 12 are straightened and thence to a plurality of guide rolls 24 disposed in a substantially horizontal plane. Thereafter the strands 12 are fed through a series of induction furnaces 26, where such strands 12 are heated to a temperature of about 2,200 to about 2,400 F. The strands 12 are then reduced by reduction mills 28a and 28b from an approximately 7% by 7% inches square cross section to, for example, a 4 by 4 inches cross section, 5 by 5 inches cross section, or 6 by 6 inches cross section or the like. The reduced strands 12 are then transferred to the shearing device 30 where such strands 12 are cut into billets 32 (FIGS. 1, 8) and marked with a strand indicia of the type shown in FIGS. 13-15 and FIG. 6. The billets 32 are then conducted by the guide rolls 24 to a billet-handling apparatus 34 where (at a marking station thereof) each of such billets 32 is additionally marked with the heat number and the strand cut number. The shearing device 30 and its associated tilting table 36 are shown in FIG. 2.

SHEARING DEVICE The shearing device 30 (FIG. 2) has a frame 38 and being of the traveling type, such frame 38 is mounted on top wheels 40 which wheels 40 engage the top portion of tracks 42 and locking or bottom wheels 44 which ride on the bottom tracks 46. Both tracks 42 and 46 are mounted on the structural frame member 48 of the continuous billet-casting apparatus 10.

The means (FIG. 2) utilized to move the shearing device 30 along a reciprocating horizontal path of movement on the tracks 42 and 46 may, for example, include a hydraulic cylinder 50 pivotable at 52 on the frame 53 of the apparatus and having its piston 54 connected to the frame 38 of the shearing device 30.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 7A7D, the shearing device 30 is of the upcut type and has a stationary upper blade assembly 56 and a reciprocable movable lower blade assembly 58. As shown particularly in FIG. 3, the stationary upper blade assembly 56 has a reversible stationary blade 60 secured in a liner 62 mounted in the frame 38 by means of a bolt 64 and nut 66. A suitable clearance slot 68 is provided adjacent the stationary blade 60 and liner 62 to permit passage of the movable blade 70 thereby as hereafter explained.

In like manner, the lower movable blade assembly 58 (FIG. 3) has a reversible movable blade 70 similarly mounted in a liner 72 in the frame 38 of the shearing device 30 by means of a bolt 64 and nut 66. As the billet 32 is fed by the support or guide rolls 24 toward the shearing device 30 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 5) the billet 32 enters a bellmouth guide means 74 (FIGS. 3-5) disposed adjacent a pair of pinch rolls 76 (FIGS, 3-5) so that the bellmouth guide means 74 directs the billet 32 in proper alignment between the driving pinch rolls 76 in registry with the stationary upper blade assembly 56 and movable lower blade assembly 58. As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, 7A-7D, the upper blade assembly 56 carries the marking device 80 of the present invention.

MARKING DEVICE 80 This marking device 80 is mounted as by bolting, keying, or the like on the frame portion 38 of the shearing device 30 adjacent the liner 62 in the stationary blade 60. As shown particularly in FIG. 6, the marking device 80 is provided with a plurality of, for example, four longitudinal marking bars 82 which bars, for example, may indicate that the billet cut from this particular strand came from strand No. 4 of the continuous billet-casting apparatus 10.

OPERATION As the pinch or drive rolls 76 position the billet 32 adjacent the upper stationary blade assembly 56 and the movable lower blade assembly 58 (FIGS. 3, IA-7D), the movable blade 70 is moved upwardly by the piston 84 of a hydraulic cylinder 86 (FIG. 2) along guides 88 (FIG. 2) from the position shown in FIG. 7A through the position shown in FIGS. 78, 7C and 7D to shear the billet 32 from the strand I2.

It will be understood from consideration of FIG. 2 that during the elevating movement of the lower movable blade assembly 58 a tilting table 90 (FIG. 2) is connected to the lower blade assembly 58 at 92 (FIG. 2) and moves upwardly with the lower blade assembly 58 to fully support the billet 32 during the shearing operation shown in FIGS. 7A-7D.

TILTING TABLE 90 This tilting table 90 (FIG. 2) comprises a frame 94 mounted on wheels 96 which move on tracks 42. For the purpose of moving the billet 32 during the severance thereof while simultaneously supporting the billet 32 during the shearing operation, the tilting table has a drive means 98 (FIG. 2) having a drive shaft 100 connected to a plurality of drive rollers I02. As shown in FIG. 2, the drive shaft 100 is connected through a gear reduction drive 104 to a motor I08.

For the purpose of holding down the billet 32 during the shearing operation, a holding means (FIG. 2) is provided.

HOLDING MEANS 1 I0 This holding means IIO (FIG. 2) has a cylinder I12 mounted on the frame 38 of the shearing device 30. A piston 114 carries a pusher member 116 and the holddown assembly or mechanism 110 is operable during the upward movement of the movable lower blade assembly 58 to yieldingly resist and move with such lower blade assembly 58 to maintain control over the billet 32 during the shearing thereof by the shearing device 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the shearing device 30 is provided with a crop chute 118 for the gravity disposal of the crop head ends of the strands 12 being initially processed through the apparatus 10. To the right of the lower blade assembly 58 (FIG. 2) a tail end crop disposal gate 120 is provided.

CROP DISPOSAL GATE 120 This crop disposal device 120 (FIGS. 2 and 3) has a support member 122 pivoted at I24 (FIGS. 2, 3) on the frame 38 of the shearing device 30 and is movable by means of a cylinder (not shown) or the like. During the shearing operation the strand 12 is supported by the support member 1122 while disposed in the horizontal position, not shown, in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thereafter when the crop end of the strand I2 approaches the shearing position and is severed from the last billet 32, the tail end crop disposal device 120 (FIGS. 2, 3) is moved downwardly to the solid line position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to permit the gravity disposal of the crop end (not shown).

PINCI-I ROLL MECHANISM Disposed to the right of the shearing device 30 as illustrated in FIG. 2, such shearing device 30 is provided with a pinch roll mechanism 130 having pinch rolls I32 for driving the strand 12 through the shearing device 30. The pinch rolls 132 are mounted on the shaft 134 (FIG. 2) and driven through a gear reduction unit 136 by a motor 138.

BILLET-HANDLING APPARATUS 34 i It will be understood by those skilled in the art that by reference to FIG. 8, an improved method of marking the billet 32 is contemplated. As the billets 32 leave the shearing device 30 at the contemplated cut line A--A (FIG. 8) the four lines of billets 12 follow the path of movement indicated by L1, L2, L3, and L4 along a stationary guide 140 of the billet-handling apparatus 34 and pusher sensors 142 of the type E-32l High Temperature Hot Metal Detectors manufactured by Euclid Electric & Mfr. Co., Madison, Ohio, disposed along lines LI and L4. When a billet 32 in line L1 and L4 activates the sensor 142, a billet pusher mechanism 144 having a pusher I46 pivoted at 148 is driven by the piston 150 of the hydraulic cylinder 152 from the dotted line position shown in FIG. 8 to the solid line position (shown in such FIG. 8) where the billets 32 in line LI and L4 are moved closely adjacent to the billets in line L2 and L3 respectively. The rollers 24 thereafter move the newly aligned billets 32 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 8, along the paths of movement LI-L4 until the billets 32 approach the stop control sensors 142a associated with disappearing stops 154 in each of the lines Ll-L4. At the predetermined time, each disappearing stop 154 releases the billet 32 in a predetermined sequence to permit their delivery by the rollers 24 to the fixed stop 143. Such billets 32 are then trans ferred by the transfer table 156 in a predetermined sequence by the transfer table 156 to a marking station I58 where a plurality'of manually operated guns 160 mark the heat number and the strand cut number on each of the billets 32.

Thereafter the transfer table 156 transfers the now completely marked billets 32 to additional rollers 24 which rollers 24 transfer the now marked billets in the direction of the arrow shown in F IG. 8.

METHOD From the above description of the operation of the billethandling apparatus 34 in FIGS. 1 and 8, a method of marking a billet 32 formed from a longitudinal strand 12 produced by a continuous billet apparatus includes the steps of simultaneously shearing the longitudinal strand 12 into a billet 32 of predetermined length and marking either the billet 32 or the longitudinal strand 12, and moving the billet 32 to the marking station 158 and further marking the billet 32 at the marking station 158 with the heat number and the strand cut number.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS it will be understood by those skilled in the art that alternatively as shown in FIG. 9, the marking device 80 is mounted on the lower movable blade assembly 58 In FIG. 10, the lower blade assembly 58" is stationary and the upper blade assembly 56 is movable; this shearing device 36" being of the downcut type. In FIG. 10 the marking devices 80a 80b are mounted on both the upper movable blade assembly 56 and stationary lower blade assembly 58, the marking device 80a being utilized to mark the head end of the strand 12 and the marking device 80b being utilized to mark the tail end of the billet 32.

FIG. 11 shows a diamond-cut or diagonal-type shearing device 30 carrying the marking device 80 on the movable upper blade assembly 56".

In FIG. 120 a round-type shear device 30a carries the marking device 80a on the upper blade assembly 560""; while FIG. 12b shows a multiple-bar-type shearing device 30b.

In FIG. 13 the marking device 80 is provided with a convex arcuate marking bar 82a and a concave arcuate marking bar 82b. The marking device 80 in FIG. 14 shows a plurality of round protuberances 162a, diamond-type protuberances 162b or the like arranged in a predetermined path.

FIG. shows a marking device 80 having a symbol such as S4 or the like for indicating that the particular billet 32 came from strand 4 in line 4 of the apparatus 10.

SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing an improved marking device 80 (FIGS. 1-8), 80 (FIG. 9), 80a, 8012* (FIG. 10), 80 (FIG. 11), 800 8017" (FIGS. 12a, 12b), 88 (FIG. 13), 80 (FIG. 14), 80 (FIG. 15), and an improved method of marking a billet 32, which marking devices and method mark the strand number of a billet 32 at the shearing station, eliminate the strand-marking operation by the marking operator at the operating station 158 (FIG. 8). reduce the number of marking operations at the marking station 158 to the strand cut number and the heat number and insure accurate strand marking strand cut marking, and heat number marking of each individual billet 32 from the continuous casting apparatus 10.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, preferred and alternative embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

Iclaim:

1. The method of marking a billet formed from a longitudinal member produced by a continuous billet-casting apparatus, said method including the steps of:

a. simultaneously shearing said longitudinal member into a billet of predetermined length and marking one member of said billet and said longitudinal member by a shearing member carrying a marking member;

b. moving said billet to a marking station; and

c. further marking said billet at said marking station.

2 The method recited in claim 1 and including the step of marking the head end of said longitudinal member.

3. The method recited in claim 1 and including the step of marking the tail end of said billet.

4. In combination:

a. a shearing device for shearing a longitudinal member into a billet and having a frame a stationary blade on said frame and a movable blade on said frame in registry with said stationary blade preparatory for the shearing operation ofsaid longitudinal member into said billet;

b. a tilting table adjacent said shearing device, connected to said movable blade, and movable with said movable blade to support said billet during said shearing operation;

c. a marking member on said frame adjacent one blade of the stationary blade and the movable blade;

d. said marking member being operable by relative movement between said stationary blade and said movable blade to shear said longitudinal member into a billet and to mark a predetermined indicia on one of said longitudinal member and said billet.

5. The combination recited in claim 4 and having resilient holding means adjacent said shearing device for holding down said billet during said shearing and marking operation and operable to yieldingly move with said movable blade during said shearing and marking operation.

6. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said marking member is on said frame adjacent said stationary blade and said marking member is operable to mark the head end of said billet.

7. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said marking member is on said frame adjacent said movable member and said marking member is operable to mark the tail end of said billet.

8. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said marking member is on said frame adjacent said movable member and said marking member is operable to mark the tail end of said billet.

9. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said shearing device is of the traveling type.

10. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said shearing device is of the upcut type.

11. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said shearing device is of the downcut type.

12. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said shearing device is of the diagonal type.

13. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said shearing device is of the round-shearing type.

14. The combination recited in claim 4 and having guide means adjacent said shearing device for aligning said longitudinal member.

15. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said marking device has a longitudinal bar.

16. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said marking device has an arcuate bar.

17. The combination recited in claim 16 wherein said marking device has a protuberance.

18. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said marking device has a raised symbol.

19. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said stationary blade is movable.

20. The combination recited in claim 4 and having crop disposal means adjacent said shearing device.

21. The combination recited in claim 4 and having a tail end disposal means adjacent said shearing device, said tail end disposal means being movable between a tail end supporting position and a tail end disposal position.

22. The method recited in claim 1 and including the step of:

a. strand marking said one member during said shearing operation with a strand indicia indicating the strand from which said longitudinal member was sheared.

23. The method recited in claim 1 and including the step of:

a. marking said billet at said marking station with a heat indicia of said longitudinal member.

24. The method recited in claim 1 and including the step of:

a. marking said billet at said marking station with a shear cut indicia.

i =|K l 

1. The method of marking a billet formed from a longitudinal member produced by a continuous billet-casting apparatus, said method including the steps of: a. simultaneously shearing said longitudinal member into a billet of predetermined length and marking one member of said billet and said longitudinal member by a shearing member carrying a marking member; b. moving said billet to a marking station; and c. further marking said billet at said marking station.
 2. The method recited in claim 1 and including the step of marking the head end of said longitudinal member.
 3. The method recited in claim 1 and including the step of marking the tail end of said billet.
 4. In combination: a. a shearing device for shearing a longitudinal member into a billet and having a frame, a stationary blade on said frame and a movable blade on said frame in registry with said stationary blade preparatory for the shearing operation of said longitudinal member into said billet; b. a tilting table adjacent said shearing device, connected to said movable blade, and movable with said movable blade to support said billet during said shearing operation; c. a marking member on said frame adjacent one blade of the stationary blade and the movable blade; d. said marking member being operable by relative movement between said stationary blade and said movable blade to shear said longitudinal member into a billet and to mark a predetermined indicia on one of said longitudinal member and said billet.
 5. The combination recited in claim 4 and having resilient holding means adjacent said shearing device for holding down said billet during said shearing and marking operation and operable to yieldingly move with said movable blade during said shearing and marking operation.
 6. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said marking member is on said frame adjacent said stationary blade and said marking member is operable to mark the head end of said billet.
 7. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said marking member is on said frame adjacent said movable member and said marking member is operable to mark the tail end of said billet.
 8. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said marking member is on said frame adjacent said movable member and said marking member is operable to mark the tail end of said billet.
 9. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said shearing device is of the traveling type.
 10. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said shearing device is of the upcut type.
 11. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said shearing device is of the downcut type.
 12. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said shearing device is of the diagonal type.
 13. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said shearing device is of the round-shearing type.
 14. The combination recited in claim 4 and having guide means adjacent said shearing device for aligning said longitudinal member.
 15. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said marking device has a longitudinal bar.
 16. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said marking device has an arcuate bar.
 17. The combination recited in claim 16 wherein said marking device has a protuberance.
 18. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said marking device has a raised symbol.
 19. The combination recited in claim 4 wherein said stationary blade is movable.
 20. The combination recited in claim 4 and having crop disposal means adjacent said shearing device.
 21. The combination recited in claim 4 and having a tail end disposal means adjacent said shearing device, said tail end disposal means being movable between a tail end supporting position and a tail end disposal position.
 22. The method recited in claim 1 and including the step of: a. strand marking said one member during said shearing operation with a strand indicia indicating the strand from which said longitudinal member was sheared.
 23. The method recited in claim 1 and including the step of: a. marking said billet at said marking station with a heat indicia of said longitudinal member.
 24. The method recited in claim 1 and including the step of: a. marking said billet at said marking station with a shear cut indicia. 